Flagraiser IPA is a big, hoppy tribute to the unfurling of the Grand Union flag atop Prospect Hill in Somerville, MA on January 1, 1776. This ale celebrates our passion for hop aroma and flavor balanced with just the right amount of malt.

Huge aroma and resin-y flavors from the elusive Galaxy hops are the signature of this beer. Built on a solid base of pale malts, this double IPA makes generous use of hops from Columbus, Crystal and Galaxy with the Galaxy hops taking the lead during ten days of aggressive dry-hopping.

Flagraiser IPA opens with a musky, earthy hoppy aroma, dominated by vinous stems, grapefruit rind, rose hips, and grassy blades, with touches of pepper, mint, lemon, and anise. There is comparatively little citrusy grapefruit aroma in here, the brightness replaced by more bitter and plant-like notes that makes the aroma immediately intriguing. The hops are set off by a good selection of cherry, orange, and nectarine fruit esters, as well as sticky brown sugars and baking wheat breads. As a whole, the nose is good and well balanced, the hops obviously the showcase ingredient, but not overpoweringly so, and the malts adding just the right amount of sugars and breads.

On the tongue, the beer begins with a bitter hop blast that nicely reflects what the nose promised: stems, grasses, and grapefruit rind spritzed up with pepper, mint, lemon, and anise. There’s also a eucalyptus and orange extract burn in here, almost tangible in a heady vapor when breathing in with a mouthful. The fruit esters are harder to find here than they were in the nose, but some oranges and nectarines still come through, and a toast crust/biscuit combo provides a bit of grounding. The hops steal the show, however, providing an intriguing selection of some of the more bitter, darker notes, burning slightly on the tongue and soft palate. The aftertaste is surprisingly full of toasted grains and brown bread, but most of the hop notes transition, fading slowly. Mouthfeel is a dry medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is a good IPA, and the 80 IBUs burn nicely in the mouth. The darker, more bitter notes from the hops provide a nice contrast to many of the “grapefruit spritzer” IPAs on the market. I did wish, however, for just a touch more sugar on the tongue, such as a continuation of the cherry notes that made the aroma wonderful, but didn’t make it into the mouthful. Still, this is great fare, and is solidly made. (1,933 characters)